Rulers and gears. Aren't these stairs awesome? This reminded me that I have a wooden ruler collection I've been building over the years. And I see random gears at rummage sales quite frequently; they would make great paperweights.
Tip: If you have a few wooden yardsticks, cut them down to varying lengths and stand them in a hurricane vase when you don't have fresh flowers.
by Funky Junk Interiors Tip: If you have a few wooden yardsticks, cut them down to varying lengths and stand them in a hurricane vase when you don't have fresh flowers.
Constellation chart and solar system. Maybe I'd know where to find Andromeda if I had one of these hanging near my window.
by Laura Manning Bendik
Telescope. And if I can't find Andromeda, then perhaps one of these will help. The next time you're at an auction or estate sale, keep your eyes peeled for a telescope. I have always wanted one but have yet to find one for the right price. They take up minimal space and just look cool.
by mark gerwing
Arithmetic. I picked up a bundle of vintage flash cards from an antique shop a few months ago for less than two bucks. Ideally I'd like to get a large frame for them, but this works for now.
by Erin Lang Norris
Abacus. This gigantic wall piece is pretty sweet, isn't it? It's from the CB2 collection in case you are interested.
Tip: I'm guessing that something like this would be pretty easy to replicate with a handful of dowel rods, paint, an old frame and some large wooden beads if this version is not in your budget. Maybe you can even get your other half in on this one (if, of course, you fall into the right vs. left household I'm talking about).
by Nicole Lanteri Tip: I'm guessing that something like this would be pretty easy to replicate with a handful of dowel rods, paint, an old frame and some large wooden beads if this version is not in your budget. Maybe you can even get your other half in on this one (if, of course, you fall into the right vs. left household I'm talking about).
Another abacus...and a jellyfish! I've been keeping my eyes peeled for a small counting frame like this. It would look great on a bookshelf or a desk. And that jellyfish on the wall looks like something that could have been peeled from my biology teacher's classroom.
by Cristi Holcombe
Blueprints. What's not to love about them? They are graphic and fun and it's an easy way to add a nice shade of blue to your walls. I haven't been lucky enough to find one yet, but I know they are out there. You just have to look.
by Kerrie L. Kelly
Maps. Maybe if I had one of these in my house I would know where all of my globe-trotting friends are actually going...
Tip: If you don't have enough space or don't want a world map, I recently found a vintage map of my state on Etsy. My friends are always asking where they can get one. The colors are great! Try a quick search to see what you can find.
by Michelle Hinckley
Tip: If you don't have enough space or don't want a world map, I recently found a vintage map of my state on Etsy. My friends are always asking where they can get one. The colors are great! Try a quick search to see what you can find.
Property maps. I really like the way this collection is displayed! These maps are so much fun, and I was even able to find one of my own neighborhood through Google before we bought our house!
Tip: You can purchase a map of your area similar to one of these at Historical Map Works.
by Bosworth Hoedemaker
Tip: You can purchase a map of your area similar to one of these at Historical Map Works.
Globes. I know a certain someone who has been wanting one for years. Maybe it's time I get him one. I see them at thrift stores all the time but they're never the right color. I just need to look past the color thing and just buy one already.
by The Locker
Dinosaurs. I can't get over these guys. They make this space feel so intelligent, don't they?
by Tomar Lampert Associates
Specimens. I'm not sure how many of us actually have access (or want to have access) to the oddities that are inhabiting these jars, but you could always try something else. Just no fingernail collections, okay?
What elements of geek chic do you have at home?
More: See design photos with numbers
Browse more home design photos
by Schwartz and Architecture
What elements of geek chic do you have at home?
More: See design photos with numbers
Browse more home design photos
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I have quite a few of these (no dinosaurs) and my favorite is a sturdy spigot head from a jail which I use as a trivet on my wood stove - keeps my coffee warm.
I have been wanting some blueprints for ages - hard to find!
http://pregnantpower.blogspot.com/2010/08/csi-project-top-10-pottery-barn.html
triciarose: "geek chic" is a term mainly used in fashion but i thought it worked well for this topic! i WISH i had thought of it!
cje4: yeah, black globes are awesome and it's an easy way to bring more black into your home, which can sometimes be a challenge.
tedmonston: that's so neat that you have the blueprints to your home! and old property maps are so cool, especially when you know the area now and look at what it used to be.
christyn: i'm with sheila on this one- that armillary sphere is SO cool! now i want to make one for my husband! i have 3 steel hoops that i found in my yard when i moved to my house & i was thinking of just a sphere, but this takes it to the next level. nice work!
Thanks so much for the feature! To see the how to of the entire staircase, visit
http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2010/04/paint-ed-wooden-crate-stairs-for-so-you.html